McConnell Aide Admits He Pushed Baseless Smears, But Lies About His Supposed ‘Skepticism’
McConnell Aide Admits He Pushed Baseless Smears, But Lies About His Supposed ‘Skepticism’
Last week, ThinkProgress reported that Don Stewart, the communications director for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), had sent an e-mail to reporters encouraging them to cover the right-wing campaign to smear 12-year old Graeme Frost and his family. In the e-mail, Stewart claimed that research by conservative bloggers proved that Democrats did a bad job “vetting this family.”
Stewart acknowledged yesterday in an interview with the Louisville Courier-Journal that he “pointed out” the smear campaign to reporters. Stewart comically asserts that he “raised skepticism as to the content” of the right-wing bloggers’ research:
He explained yesterday that such e-mails are “part of regular conversation with reporters.”
“I pointed out something that had been in the blogs for a couple of days and had been of increasing interest, but I also raised skepticism as to the content,” Stewart said.
Though Stewart did eventually send subsequent e-mails to reporters, telling them “there’s no story there” and that “the family is legit,” his initial e-mail was anything but skeptical. In fact, he trumpeted the bloggers’ unfounded smears and used them to attack Democrats:
Bloggers have done a little digging and turned up that the Dad owns his own business (and the building it’s in), seems to have some commercial rental income and Graeme and a sister go to a private school that, according to its website, costs about $20k a year for each kid despite the news profiles reporting a family income of only $45k for the Frosts. Could the Dems really have done that bad of a job vetting this family?
The only “skepticism” Stewart showed in his original email was a veiled partisan attack that came in the form of a question. He never “vetted” the research he was propagating to reporters.
As Greg Sargent notes, “when Michelle Malkin pointed her finger at the Frosts and started howling, McConnell’s staff immediately joined in the fun — that is, until they realized that they had a big dud on their hands.”
UPDATE: Stewart also wrote a letter to the editor today further muddling his role in smearing of the Frost family. BluegrassRoots debunks it here.
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78 Responses to “McConnell Aide Admits He Pushed Baseless Smears, But Lies About His Supposed ‘Skepticism’”
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…McConnell’s staff immediately joined in the fun — that is, until they realized that they had a big dud on their hands.â€
Is that in reference to McConnell? Is he the big dud? I think so.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:22 amLooks like a herd of elephants tripping over themselves.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:22 amHe explained yesterday that such e-mails are “part of regular conversation with reporters.â€
I still want to know who the reporters are on that mailing list.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:26 am“Could the Dems really have done that bad of a job vetting this family?”
Hey! He was just askin’.
Could he have been more stupid?
Could the Reps have done that bad a job vetting the vetters?
Could the situation be any more repugnant?
Could the President be any less caring for poor children in this country?
Could Mitch McConnell be any more out of control of his staff?
Hey! I’m just askin’.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:26 am“Stewart did eventually send subsequent e-mails to reporters, telling them “there’s no story there†and that “the family is legit,”
Apologies from trolls in 3, 2, 1…aw, who the hell am I kidding?
“I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends… that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.”
Adlai E. Stevenson Jr.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:31 amWould I like to see this covered in some depth on 24 hr. news channels. Hate to hang waiting for that to happen- I’d be dead…
October 16th, 2007 at 11:31 amLooks like the “Family Values” Party has finally hit the wall; they have “Way too many Closet Gays”, the most corrupt bunch in history and now are smearing kids and using the Press to do thei dirty work.
Just goes to show that any party that uses
October 16th, 2007 at 11:32 amFish Face” malkin, limpballs, billo and tranny anny coultergeist as their spokespeople are WAAAAY beyond redemption and need to take that Big Flush in ‘08.
uH oH, the Lyingbastardometer is rattling around like a frog on a hot stove…
October 16th, 2007 at 11:37 amspin stewie, spin!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:39 amTCDon sez:
Would you prefer we accurately quoted the straw man?
Also, does it hurt to be that stupid?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:43 am“The only “skepticism†Stewart showed in his original email was a veiled partisan attack that came in the form of a question. He never “vetted†the research he was propagating to reporters.”
So, when this tactic is used against a big, strong general like Petreaus, it’s an outrage to conservatives, but when used against a small child and his family, it’s ok? The silence from all the fake-outrage conservatives is tomb-like.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:43 amSo, when this tactic is used against a big, strong general like Petreaus, it’s an outrage to conservatives, but when used against a small child and his family, it’s ok? The silence from all the fake-outrage conservatives is tomb-like.
Comment by barfly — October 16, 2007 @ 11:43 am
You just broke the NeoCon Repug Code of Conduct; You get free access to TP!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:49 amMcConnell makes Kentucky look like the stereotypical Southern Redneck state. Couldn’t you folks put Harold Ford back on the ballot and get rid of this pucker faced, bushlicking yesman? Please?
McConnell makes Lott look intelligent, & that’s not saying a hell of a lot.
Slime tends to stick together, and Stewart plainly shows gelatinous quality, similar to his boss.
As barfly states above, ’silence from all the fake-outrage conservatives is tomb-like’. Well said, barfly, well said.
Oh, & Tampax Don; you seem a little self-absorbed today. Full of it?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:50 am“You get free access to TP!”
Comment by upside99
Does it come with a wingnut decoder ring?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:51 amBarfly: you’ve hit it right on the head — remember, IOKIYAR!!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:52 am“You get free access to TP!†-Comment by upside99
Does it come with a wingnut decoder ring? -Comment by barfly
No. Sorry, but it does come with a working replica of RUC’s lying bastardometer, which is sure to be valuable in the coming elections.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:52 amDoes it come with a wingnut decoder ring? — Comment by barfly — October 16, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Yep — and a tinfoil hat and a cup of kool-aid too!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:54 amNewsflash: McConnell’s office admits that Don Stewart sent Oct. 8th email with lies about the Frost family to GOP and media.
Of course, this was followed by Stewart’s quick disclaimer that he sent a second email saying, “My bad.”
Hey Don, the damage was done. CNN’s John Roberts quoted your email and started the right wing smear against the Frosts. Nine days after Stewart’s email, McConnell has a scandal on his hands. Mitch is used to controlling the media and he usually gets away with lies and slurs to promote the neo-con agenda.
Not this time. Hold McConnell’s feet to the fire. For more info: http://www.ditchmitchky.com. Call McC’s office in DC, 1-800-828-0498, and in Louisville, 502-582-6304. Demand the truth.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:54 amLet’s face it, TPers — McConnell’s lost touch with reality, and has chosen his staff accordingly. Stewart can’t help being an a$$hat here — it’s in his job description, following his boss’s eminent leadership!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:55 amThanks DF.
But I’m allergic to Koolaid.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:57 amDid anyone really ever smear the 12-boy? From what I read, people were asking questions about the parents, not the boy. I’m a lib living in Maryland and I have questions about the parents too.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:58 am“He explained yesterday that such e-mails are ‘part of regular conversation with reporters.’
Yup, McConnell and his staff have overdosed themselves with Neo-Con Krispies cereal: The Right-Wing way to start your day. LOL!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:59 amCaption:
‘Sold’!
The 12 year old boy goes to Malkin, high bidder.
Wait!
October 16th, 2007 at 12:00 pmRush just doubled the bid! Seems he’s going to the Caribbean, and a 12 year old boy is just what he was looking for.
Does it come with a wingnut decoder ring? — Comment by barfly — October 16, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Yep — and a tinfoil hat and a cup of kool-aid too!
Comment by The Dogfather — October 16, 2007 @ 11:54 am
All very necessary tools to infilitrate and spy on the neocons.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pmI’m a lib living in Maryland and I have questions about the parents too.
Comment by Bentcorner — October 16, 2007 @ 11:58 am
What questions would you have about the parents? They qualified for S-CHIP under Maryland guidelines. If you have a problem with the program, then talk to Maryland. They”vetted” the family, and anything beyond that, ie, questions about the parents, are frankly none of our business. If you disagree with Maryland’s S-CHIP program, take it up with them.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:02 pmIs it true that they own a house and commercial property? Do both parents work full time? It may be none of my business, but I got an email from Maryland Democrats asking me to participate in a protest tonight at our congressman’s office because he voted against expanding the S-chip program.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pmMcConnell is a disgrace even to a Bush Republican party that has the lowest standards of competence and morality of any American political party in history. Today’s Republican party is being outed every day by their endless hypocrisies, immoralities and perversions of ethics, law and reason as they spiral into their deserved political graves. It’s not their last hurrah, it’s their death knell.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:09 pm# 4
The truly funny thing (at least I think so) is that Stewart rags on the dems for not doing more in-depth investigation of the Frosts - and then he’s hoist by his own petard when the truth emerges. One would think that after their Iraq shellacking, these lazy Bozos would do a little research first.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:10 pmDid anyone really ever smear the 12-boy? From what I read, people were asking questions about the parents, not the boy. I’m a lib living in Maryland and I have questions about the parents too.
cough,COUGH….
REEEEEEAAALLLY???a “lib”, huh.
you do realize that mostly idiots on the right use the term “lib”, dontcha?
BUSTED!
October 16th, 2007 at 12:11 pmDarryl? Mr. Pee-head?Is that you?
McConnell is a disgrace even to a Bush Republican party that has the lowest standards of competence and morality of any American political party in history.
Now, you have to go a LOOOONG way to be a disgrace to today’s Repug Party. They have a Big Tent, and let anyone in, as long as they bring the bling and leave their morals and honesty at the door!
Gotta suck to still be one of the 28%ers, right Trolls?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:11 pmwhitey, a dead ringer for Mr Pee with a new IP!
October 16th, 2007 at 12:12 pmIs it true that they own a house and commercial property? Do both parents work full time? It may be none of my business, but…
Comment by Bentcorner — October 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Stop right there. It is none of your business. What is your business is the SCHIP detailed specs. You should be able to find out what qualifications a family needs to meet to get this insurance. You don’t deserve to know details of each individual under the program. If you disagree that homeowners should be insured then take that up with your local politician and vote accordingly. What you don’t do is hide in the shrubs of families on the program trying to find out more info.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:13 pmAlso, does it hurt to be that stupid?
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — October 16, 2007 @ 11:43 am
TCDon doesn’t feel a thing, ever.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:13 pmSince Thurmond died, McConell is the current winner of the “most likely to place a curse upon you if you despoil his tomb” award.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:13 pmIs it true that they own a house and commercial property?
Comment by Bentcorner — October 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
What is true is that at the time of the accident their insurance refused to cover and if the state SCHIP program had not been there for this family, the children would not have gotten the medical care they needed.
Research the real story ( not the right wing smears )
October 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pmwhitey, a dead ringer for Mr Pee with a new IP!
Comment by RUCerious — October 16, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
I’ve seen mr. p slither out from the roach nest a few times, wearing different disguises. Actually find it kinda funny. At leaast his meth-rants have slowed down.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pmDid anyone really ever smear the 12-boy? From what I read, people were asking questions about the parents, not the boy. I’m a lib living in Maryland and I have questions about the parents too.
Comment by Bentcorner
These American citizens were in a horrific car crash and needed medical care. They made a little too much money for medicaid/medicare, and could not afford “regular” healthcare insurance so they took advantage of a program designed precisely for this reason. Now, due to this coverage and medical , these America citizens can attempt to live healthy, productive lives. That sounds right to this American citizen - does that sound right to you?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pmCaption Contest:
October 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pmWe must go forwards, not backwards.
Upwards, not forwards
And ever twirling, twirling, twirllliiinnng towards freedom
I’m not really up on what idiots on the right say. I’m a lib. It’s something I say. You are more then welcome to check out my blog and judge for yourself if I’m really a lib or not. Or a progressive or whatever term you are more comparable with. Just don’t call me late to dinner.
Bent Corner
October 16th, 2007 at 12:15 pmSince Thurmond died, McConell is the current winner of the “most likely to place a curse upon you if you despoil his tomb†award.
Comment by Chocolate Jesus — October 16, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
BWAAAHAHAHA!
BTW, do you know where I can buy a map to Thurmonds grave, I have to piss really bad and don’t want to waste it.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:16 pmIs it true that they own a house and commercial property? Do both parents work full time? It may be none of my business, but I got an email from Maryland Democrats asking me to participate in a protest tonight at our congressman’s office because he voted against expanding the S-chip program.
Comment by Bentcorner — October 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Which Democrat is that?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:18 pmLooks like TCDon is just gonna do a drive-by on this thread.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:19 pmCaption Contest:
We must go forwards, not backwards.
Upwards, not forwards
And ever twirling, twirling, twirllliiinnng towards freedom
Comment by Squegeeboo — October 16, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos…
I’m not really up on what idiots on the right say. I’m a lib.
Bentweiner
Your site smashes the crap out of Ron Paul.ALL. THE. TIME. I’ve NEVER seen a Dem(prog,whatever)site that posts as much about him as the bentcorner site? So what are you, a “Lib”ertarian-you and Tucker(shudder), right?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pmI just looked at the email again and it didn’t come from the Maryland Democrats, it came from DuckforCongress.com.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pmThe parents of this child were on Countdown with KO last night and it was very interesting. They addressed some of the points of contention that the neocons have been making issues and they aren’t really issues. The father had his own business that folded in 1998 and one of the reasons was the increasing cost of providing health insurance. The insurance that they DID have covered the initial costs of caring for the children while they were in-hospital, but, as I understand did not cover the intensive therapy that the children needed as a result of the injuries received in the auto accident. Both children literally had lost their ability to do just about everything, including talking, eating, and walking.
These children are still in physical therapy. Had anyone watched KO they would have a better understanding of what happened. None of this changes the fact that the neocons remain supportive of spending billions upon billions for war — invasion and occupation — of a country that did nothing to us and has resulted in untold damage to not only the country and people of Iraq, but more importantly, but to the country and people of America.
Just this morning, the House was debating SCHIP and Cornyn from Texas was talking about how the expansion of it is “irresponsible” in light of the fact that we currently are so much in debt. Funny, the bastard didn’t even bother to mention the money that we are wasting in Iraq that is irresponsible.
I have never “hated” any political party (I have always been a non-partisan politically) but I most certainly do now — most of them are the Republicons, however, any politician who chooses not to use common sense and logic and the principles of the US Constitution is guilty of treason and should be outed for the traitors they are to this formerly respectable country.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pmBentcorner, they do own their home. They bought it for $50k 16 yrs ago. I haven’t heard of any commercial property, though. Or if both parents work full time.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:22 pmI didn’t care about Ron Paul until I he was interviewed on Air America. I didn’t blog about him and how awful he is until he was on Air America.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:23 pmYou are more then welcome to check out my blog and judge for yourself if I’m really a lib or not.
Comment by Bentcorner — October 16, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
For a Liberal you sure spend a lot of time discussing the pros & cons of Ron Paul. I gave up reading when you said this of Ann Coulter…
“but sometimes I really wonder if there is something wrong with her.”
Sometimes? You means sometimes you don’t wonder? Anyways, you may well be Dem but your site makes me think you’re on the fence. You did do volunteer work for a Democratic candidate but then you say “I guess because of my volunteer work, I ended up on a Maryland Democratic email list.” If you’re a “lib” wouldn’t you already be on that list?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:24 pmDave C, I’m a registered democrat in Ohio and am not on any mailing list. Hell, I even registered to get on Sherrod Brown’s email list but have gone ignored.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:26 pm1. Pros and Con about Ron Paul? It’s been nothing but cons.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:29 pm2. Ann Coulter - I think there actually might be something chemically wrong with her brain.
3. I’ve lived in Maryland and and been a lib for 14 years now and I didn’t start getting emails from The Maryland Democratic Party until I did volunteer work for the Duck campaign. I assume this got me on a list and not my liberal bent.
Comment by Wilco — October 16, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Fair enough. Since I’m not an American much of that is news to me. The real point here is that the details of the SCHIP program are up for debate. But the details of a family on the program should not be.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:29 pmI’m a registered democrat in Ohio and am not on any mailing list. Hell, I even registered to get on Sherrod Brown’s email list but have gone ignored.
Comment by Wilco — October 16, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
I am on almost too many lists, 7 veteran groups, and many democratic, progressive lists, heh.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:32 pmlay off bentcorner… jeez, what’s the matter with yous?
don’t like being tagged as “dorky men on the Internet”?
any and all truthful information about ron paul needs to get out there…
a true wolf in sheep’s clothing, he is…
October 16th, 2007 at 12:34 pmdoes and says a lot of good things, but he does NOT deserve
to be president…
.
Rove might have moved back home, but his play book live on. You’d think that after the 2006 election they might start to rethink the whole dirty trick, lying smear thing. Of course McConnell and his team will be the last to know being “short bus” pols.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:35 pmYou are right about Ron Paul katy but if getbent is a liberal I’m Princess Diana. He’s just a full of shit blog whore who deserves to be ignored.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pmShayne/Princess Diana - I probably deserve a lot of things. Ignored is not one of these things.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:40 pmMore proof that I am liberal. Debbie Schlussel says I am. At least she says my blog is liberal. Has anyone else here been labeled a lib by Debbie Schlussel?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:47 pmBentcorner, what is with your obsession with comic books?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:49 pmIt’s waned as of late.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:50 pmAnyone who has to whine and plead with people to claim liberal credentials is probably neither liberal, nor credible.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:51 pmFor those who insist Bentcorner is NOT a lib, why? And what traits determine a lib?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:52 pmIt seems the arguments for Bent not being one is because he might have an obsession over libs loving Ron Paul, who is really to the right of everyone else on the stage; and because he didn’t completely condemn Coulter as either a man or the devil incarnate.
Repukians not doing their homework and just smearing people over hearsay on Repukian Fascist Pig Blogs, like REDHATE….no, say it isn’t so? Why would the party of FAMILY VALUES smear an American Family who had met with disaster and needed medical aid for their criticaly injured children?
Oh, yeah, forgot, they don’t have values or morals, they are the party of HATE. Darn that gets me every time.
Buck Fush
October 16th, 2007 at 12:54 pmIs it true that they own a house and commercial property? Do both parents work full time? It may be none of my business, but…
Comment by Bentover — October 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
you’re right, it *IS* none of your business.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:05 pmWow. Remind me not to ever ask questions here again. And to think I’ve heard how mean the right-wingers have been over S-Chip.
I get accused of of being someone who I am not and when I try to prove that I am not a right-winger pretending to be a liberal, I get called a whiner. That’s fine. Referring to me as “Bentover” seems over the top. It’s insulting and really not necessary.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:15 pmReferring to me as “Bentover†seems over the top. It’s insulting and really not necessary.
LMAO!!
You’re asking questions about rightwing talking points that have already been answered and debunked. If Stewart can admit that there’s no story there then why can’t you?
October 16th, 2007 at 1:30 pmBentcorner sez:
Oh yes, because someone here making a funny on your screen name is comparable to the vicious slandering of a brain-damaged child and his family.
Did you know that the right-wingers went so far as to post the Frost’s home address? If you really want to ratchet up your pity-party, I could do that for you, if you want.
And this is the guy that has his own blog? And you’ve never been called a name?
If you think “Bentover” is “over the top”, you might consider withdrawing from the Internet entirely and checking into a monastery. You’re obviously a little too fragile for reality.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:47 pmReichwingnuts = Fascist Pigs.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:36 pmTo Bentcorner and others who need more info on the Frost family:
I suggest that you pull up the link to Keith Olbermann’s interview with Graeme’s parents last night, 10/16. They outlined their financial situation very clearly, and with great dignity, since they have been slandered on the national media. Kelsey Frost said that he had a business in the 1990s, but was forced to close it because he could not afford to maintain health insurance for his employees.
Frost’s statement last night gets to the heart of the problem. Many hard-working Americans simply can not afford health coverage. And when disaster strikes — as it did for the Frosts when their car hit a patch of ice in Dec. 2004 — people need S-CHIP. How hard is that to figure out, Bentcorner?
And we have Mitch McConnell, who propagated the GOP smear of the Frost’s as a way to prevent the override of Bush’s veto. Both McConnell and Bush enjoy excellent health coverage as government employees. They have the audacity to deny to hard-working Americans the health coverage that they take for granted.
Any other questions?
October 16th, 2007 at 3:34 pmIt pisse me off to have to pay for McConnell’s 100% socialized gov’t health program. Anybody else out there who feels we ought to opt him out of this program and cut our taxes a little?
October 16th, 2007 at 3:37 pmGlad to help you out, gunsnbibles. Our goal in Kentucky is to vote McConnell out of office in Nov. 2008. I’m sure good ole Mitch will be glad to forgo his lifetime pension and health coverage once he is out of our Senate. Thanks for the tip.
October 16th, 2007 at 4:01 pmMcConnell, you have some ’splaining to do!
October 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pmHell yeah,
anytime you can slam children as an excuse for your failed policies . . . high fives.
Kids die . . yeah, GOP wins. Slay an elephant!
October 17th, 2007 at 12:37 amYeah, I wanna give McConnell 100%, twelve kids died this year, kickin’ and screamin’, but McConnell raised thousands.
My man. . . that McConnell. . . . just want to kiss him on the lips.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:41 amThere were those those other kids too . . the kids with no hair . . . the kids that couldsn’t even kiss their own parents goodbye before they died . . .
they want to kiss McConnell as well.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:48 amGET OUT MCCONNELL!
Child killer.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:52 amWhile you may never have intended to kill children . . . the result is the same.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:54 amActually, this sounds a bit more extreme than I am. I just see more need for tolerance, for understanding, than the policies that you advocate generally endorse.
It seems to me that there is a place for compromise and understanding, rather then for dogmatism.
Take care of yourself, and let’s get together and talk.
Communication is the best facilitator.
Best regards,
Gwendolyn
October 17th, 2007 at 12:58 amThat would be “than” rather than “then.”
October 17th, 2007 at 1:05 am